Tomoyuki Tanaka

Born in Osaka Prefecture, Tomoyuki Tanaka was head man at Toho Studios and one of its most prolific producers. Throughout his career he would produce the films of notable filmmakers such as Akira Kurosawa, Senkichi Taniguchi, Kon Ichikawa, and Mikio Naruse. However, he is probably best remembered as the creator of Godzilla. After graduating from the Economic Department at Kansai University, Tanaka joined Toho in 1940. In 1954 Tanaka would spearhead the original Godzilla film with director Ishiro Honda. After Godzilla's monumental success, Tanaka was instructed to "make another one". Tanaka would produce every Toho monster film up until Godzilla vs Destoroyah. Tanaka was also a heavy supporter of Toshiro Mifune, producing his films with Kurosawa as well as Mifune's own production company and sole directorial effort in Legacy of the 500,000. Tanaka would champion Godzilla's return in 1984 and be heavily involved in the series until his death in 1997. In his near 60 year career Tanaka would go on to produce over 200 films.

Known For

Yojimbo
Godzilla
Godzilla
High and Low
Kagemusha
House
Birth Location Osaka, Honshu, Japan
Born 1910-04-26
Died 1997-04-02

Movies

Submersion of Japan as Government official (uncredited)
1973

Movies

Look Within Characters
2019
Within Reach Characters
2017
1997
Rebirth of Mothra Original Story
1996
Godzilla vs. Destoroyah Executive Producer
1995
Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla Executive Producer
1994
Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II Executive Producer
1993
1992
Godzilla vs. Mothra Executive Producer
1992
Godzilla vs. Biollante Executive Producer
1989
Gunhed Executive Producer
1989
Princess from the Moon Executive Producer
1987
Actress Producer
1987
Godzilla 1985 Executive Producer
1985
1985
1984
Ohan Executive Producer
1984
Zero Producer
1984
The Makioka Sisters Executive Producer
1983
1982
The Imperial Navy Executive Producer
1981
Magnitude 7.9 Producer
1980
Kagemusha Executive Producer
1980
The War in Space Executive Producer
1977
High Seas Hijack Executive Producer
1977
House Producer
1977
Mount Hakkoda Producer
1977
Godzilla Story
1977
Godzilla Producer
1977
Zero Fighter Executive Producer
1976
Human Revolution II Executive Producer
1976
Conflagration Executive Producer
1975
Terror of Mechagodzilla Executive Producer
1975
ESPY Producer
1974
Prophecies of Nostradamus Executive Producer
1974
Submersion of Japan Executive Producer
1973
1973
1973
1972
Godzilla vs. Hedorah Executive Producer
1971
Space Amoeba Executive Producer
1970
Terror in the Streets Executive Producer
1970
The Vampire Doll Executive Producer
1970
All Monsters Attack Executive Producer
1969
1969
Portrait of Hell Producer
1969
1969
Battle of the Japan Sea Production Director
1969
Latitude Zero Executive Producer
1969
Samurai Banners Producer
1969
Admiral Yamamoto Producer
1968
1968
Kill! Producer
1968
1968
風来忍法帖　八方破れ Executive Producer
1968
Golden Eyes Executive Producer
1968
Son of Godzilla Producer
1967
1967
1967
1967
The Killing Bottle Executive Producer
1967
The Age of Assassins Executive Producer
1967
Ebirah, Horror of the Deep Executive Producer
1966
1966
The Mad Atlantic Producer
1966
Zero Fighter Producer
1966
Adventure in Kigan Castle Executive Producer
1966
Invasion of Astro-Monster Executive Producer
1965
Ironfinger Executive Producer
1965
Key of Keys Executive Producer
1965
Fort Graveyard Producer
1965
1965
Sanshiro Sugata Producer
1965
風来忍法帖 Executive Producer
1965
Red Beard Producer
1965
Samurai Assassin Producer
1965
1964
A Keg of Powder Producer
1964
Dogora Producer
1964
Whirlwind Producer
1964
Blood and Diamonds Executive Producer
1964
Mothra vs. Godzilla Executive Producer
1964
Ant Hell War Producer
1964
Oh, Bomb! Producer
1964
Tiger Flight Producer
1964
1964
Atragon Producer
1963
1963
1963
Young Swordsman Executive Producer
1963
Interpol Code 8 Executive Producer
1963
Matango Producer
1963
Outpost of Hell Producer
1963
1963
1963
Warring Clans Producer
1963
High and Low Producer
1963
1963
Attack Squadron Producer
1963
The Weed of Crime Executive Producer
1962
1962
47 Ronin Producer
1962
Operation Enemy Fort Executive Producer
1962
1962
1962
1962
Gorath Producer
1962
Sanjuro Producer
1962
The Witness Killed Executive Producer
1961
The Last War Producer
1961
A Man in Red Executive Producer
1961
Blood on the Sea Executive Producer
1961
Mothra Lyricist
1961
Mothra Producer
1961
Yojimbo Executive Producer
1961
Big Shots Die at Dawn Executive Producer
1961
1961
1961
Blueprint of Murder Executive Producer
1961
The Human Vapor Executive Producer
1960
Westward Desperado Executive Producer
1960
1960
Man Against Man Executive Producer
1960
The Last Gunfight Executive Producer
1960
1959
1959
Desperado Outpost Executive Producer
1959
Samurai Saga Producer
1959
The Adventures of Sun Wu Kung Executive Producer
1959
A Whistle in My Heart Executive Producer
1959
The Big Boss Executive Producer
1959
Varan Producer
1958
The H-Man Producer
1958
Little Peach Producer
1958
The Rickshaw Man Producer
1958
The Mysterians Producer
1957
The Lower Depths Producer
1957
Rodan! The Flying Monster! Associate Producer
1957
Untamed Woman Producer
1957
1957
1957
Rodan Producer
1956
The Legend of the White Serpent Executive Producer
1956
Scoundrel Producer
1956
Rainy Night Duel Producer
1956
The Maiden Courtesan Executive Producer
1956
1955
Ticket to Hell Producer
1955
Half Human Producer
1955
Mother and Son Executive Producer
1955
1955
1955
Love Never Fails Producer
1955
Lovetide Executive Producer
1955
Godzilla Story
1954
Godzilla Producer
1954
The Surf Producer
1954
1954
Farewell Rabaul Producer
1954
Red-Light Bases Producer
1953
1953
1953
1953
Yasugorō shusse Producer
1953
The Last Embrace Producer
1953
1953
1952
Swift Current Producer
1952
Adolescence Producer
1952
Shanghai Rose Producer
1952
Sword for Hire Producer
1952
Foghorn Producer
1952
Sekidô matsuri Producer
1951
1951
1951
The White Orchid Producer
1951
1951
White Beast Producer
1950
The Angry Street Producer
1950
The Angry Street Executive Producer
1950
Heat and Mud Producer
1950
Devil's Gold Producer
1950
Escape at Dawn Producer
1950
1949
Kirare no Senta Producer
1949
Lady From Hell Producer
1949
Snow Trail Producer
1947
1947
1947
1946
1946
Those Who Make Tomorrow Executive Producer
1946
Yoki na onna Producer
1946
Three Women of the North Executive Producer
1945
1945